Giants Chase Taylor Ahead of Deadline
Joe Schoen evaluates a five-player list to fix the Giants' roster holes before the November 10 trade deadline.
By Carolina Wood ·
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen faces a pivotal week as the team prepares for the November 10 NFL trade deadline. The franchise currently holds the top spot in the NFC East with a three-game lead over the Dallas Cowboys. Schoen aims to convert this early success into a deeper roster before the division rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, play in Weeks 9 and 10.
The Giants have undergone a quick turnaround under head coach John Harbaugh. However, the roster still features major gaps, particularly in the backfield and on both lines of scrimmage. Schoen plans to use the current momentum to acquire major talent, potentially shifting the team from a turnaround story to a legitimate contender for the postseason.
Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts tops the list of potential targets. The Colts are in a phase of selling off assets after trading offensive lineman Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Reports indicate the Giants are one of the most aggressive teams in the market for running backs, alongside the Minnesota Vikings. Acquiring Taylor would require a substantial package, but he would pair with Cam Skattebo to create a potent offensive duo for quarterback JJ McCarthy.
Tony Pollard of the Tennessee Titans offers a different value proposition. The veteran running back is on pace for his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season. He has recorded 595 yards and six touchdowns in eight games this year. Only five running backs in the league have more rushing yards since the start of the 2022 campaign. Pollard provides consistency that has been missing since the team parted ways with Saquon Barkley.
The cost of Pollard may prove difficult for New York to absorb. His market value is estimated at a fourth or fifth-round draft pick. The Giants do not hold either selection. They sent a fourth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns to move up for Malachi Fields in the spring. They later sent their fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings to acquire JJ McCarthy.
Grover Stewart of the Indianapolis Colts presents another viable option for the defensive line. Stewart draws attention after his teammate Buckner was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. PFF ranks Stewart 10th among all defensive tackles in the league with 17 solo tackles against the run. Stewart could be acquired for a sixth-round pick, a price the Giants can afford. Interior defensive help is essential for a unit that currently ranks 28th in the NFL in yards allowed per carry.
Dalvin Tomlinson of the Los Angeles Chargers serves as a potential fallback. The 32-year-old was originally a second-round pick for the Giants in 2017. He has recorded 10 combined tackles and half a sack in five games with the Chargers this season. Tomlinson is due $1.80 million this season before entering free agency, making him a low-cost option if other targets fall through.
